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Recommended for: Grades 9-12

Resource: Baptism

WNET: Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
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Media Type:
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Length: 3m 13s
Size: 8.9 MB

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This video from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly highlights the baptism ceremony and how it is practiced in different Christian denominations. In the Roman Catholic Church, baptizing infants is essential because it represents the forgiveness of original sin, conversion to the faith and a relationship with God in the afterlife. In Baptist churches, baptism is observed by adults when they are ready to identify as followers of Jesus Christ and profess the faith. The video also shows how the process of baptism varies. Some denominations sprinkle water on worshippers, while others immerse them.

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Transcript (Rich Text Format Document)

Supplemental Media Available:

Christianity Glossary (PDF Document)

 

Teachers' Domain, Baptism , published July 2, 2009, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/awr09.socst.world.glob.baptism/

 

The Christian rite of baptism uses water purification to symbolize entry into the faith. It dates back more than 2,000 years ago when a religious leader known as John the Baptist began preaching about spiritual reform and redemption in the Jordan River Valley. In keeping with many Hebrew rituals that preceded his teachings, John believed the Apocalypse was near and that cleansing souls through water purification was essential for spiritual salvation.

John, who was active during Jesus' lifetime, led a religious movement that centered on conducting baptisms in the Jordan River. The practice typically consisted of full-body immersion of adults who were seeking forgiveness for their sins. Among the people John baptized was Jesus, who then encouraged others to experience the spiritual rebirth he had achieved through baptism.

Inspired by the events of Jesus’ life, early Christians adapted the rite of baptism, made it a sacred act and moved it from the Jordan River to within the walls of the church. Baptism continued to represent purification of sin by water, as well as the worshipper’s readiness for God’s kingdom in life and death. As the religion grew, both newborn infants and newly faithful adults were baptized into the faith.

The practice of baptism remained unchanged for more than 1,000 years until the 16th century Protestant Reformation, when large numbers of Christians split from the Roman Catholic Church and began to reexamine once-sacred rituals. Many Protestants started baptizing people once they became adults because they felt that children and infants could not fully grasp the spiritual significance of baptism.

For Baptists, a Protestant denomination that began in England in the early 17th century, baptism has evolved into a way to publicly express devotion to Christ’s teachings. It is not a statement of membership or necessary for salvation, but rather a ceremony to honor those who have been saved by God. Baptists complete this ritual as adults by total immersion in water, just as John the Baptist did with Jesus more than 2,000 years ago.

For those who practice Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and more ritualistic forms of Protestantism, baptism continues to be essential for the salvation of the worshipper. For this reason, the baptism of infants is extremely important. During the baptism, the priest sprinkles water on the head of the infant to represent the forgiveness of original sin, rebirth and connection with God.

Baptism has evolved to meet the needs of contemporary Christians and their differing faiths. In its many forms, the ritual continues to be as important to the faithful today as it was to early Christians.

Source: Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly: "Belief and Practice: Baptism"

Learn more about the Religion & Ethics segment "Belief and Practice: Baptism."

Resource Produced by:

WNET

Collection Developed by:

WNET

Collection Credits

Collection Funded by:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting The Henry Luce Foundation Lilly Endowment Mutual of America